'Cancer Never Sleeps': Worcester's Relay For Life This Weekend

WORCESTER, MA—This weekend, hundreds from Worcester and surrounding towns gather to lead the fight to eradicate cancer with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Relay for Life Worcester takes place on Friday, June 16, starting at 6 p.m. at Burncoat High School in Worcester.

For those unfamiliar, Relay is a team fundraising event where team members take turns walking around a track or designated path. Each event is 6-24 hours and each team keeps at least one member on the track at all times to signify that "cancer never sleeps."

Each team sets up a themed campsite at the event and continues their fundraising efforts by collecting donations for food, goods, games, and activities. This money will count towards their overall team fundraising goal.

Relay is staffed and coordinated by volunteers in more than 5,200 communities and 27 countries, and hundreds participate in each event.

Here are three who are planning to participate in Relay for Life of Worcester:

• Doreen White started participating 20 years ago with co-workers. She had family members and a very close friend passed away from cancer and felt she needed to do something to help. The next year she started her own team, Raising "DO" For A Cure, and the team has had members who are survivors as well as those who passed away from cancer. “I think it's a very uplifting event,” said White. “Everyone is there for the same purpose, to raise awareness, to support survivors and to raise money for research and many other services.” When her brother was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, she asked him to check out Relay For Life. “He didn’t want to come to Relay For Life because he said it will be depressing, but it is the opposite of that! My brother was so impressed with the love and support that he experienced. He couldn't wait to come back the next year. Unfortunately he passed away in January 2014. So I will keep up the fight for him and everyone I know and love who have passed, who are fighting and who survived.” Check out her personal fundraising page by clicking here.

· Rebecca Everson, 33, of Worcester, started participating as a Team Captain 11 years ago when her mother-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her mother-in-law was able to join Relay For Life for two years before passing away in March 2009. “I always struggle with how to describe this amazing event to people and say you have to see it for yourself,” said Everson, who is a an event tri-chair this year. “The amount of love and passion for the cause that you are able to witness is so hard to put into words. It’s also a great family event raising money for a wonderful cause. I look forward to Relay For Life every year.” Check out her personal fundraising page by clicking here.

· Amy Riendeau, 43, of Worcester, her sister and brother in-law are the only three people who have participating in the Relay For Life of Worcester for all 23 years the event has been running. “When my sister asked me if I would participate, I didn't know anyone who had cancer and I we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into,” said Riendeau. “Now it is something I am proud to on every year.” Since she started Relaying, her father researched valuable patient info at Cancer.org and her sister-in-law, a breast cancer survivor, has participated in the American Cancer Society’s Look Good Feel Better workshop. Check out her personal fundraising page by clicking here.

Information and photo submitted, American Cancer Society